COSASE orders protection for former UHRC accounting officer

What the report says

Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has asked police to protect former Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Secretary and Accounting Officer Margaret Lucy Ejang while she appears before the committee. The committee said it acted after receiving a written request from Ejang, who said she was still recovering from what she described as humiliation, abuse and psychological distress linked to her time at the commission. The development was reported in Kampala and attributed to committee proceedings chaired by Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi.

COSASE is examining issues raised by the Auditor General, including a Shs70.41 million item that was reportedly recorded as completed in UHRC reports even though the work was said not to have been carried out as stated. The committee said it wants Ejang’s account to help clarify how the funds were handled and why the expenditure was reported in that way. The commission has reportedly said the money was later used to buy furniture, but COSASE said it had not yet seen enough supporting documents.

During the hearing, Ejang presented messages and other records from her phone that she said related to disputes over duties, procurement approvals and payment decisions. COSASE members worried the electronic material could be lost and instructed police’s Criminal Investigations Department to help preserve and retrieve it. The committee also asked for a CID officer to stay near Ejang and said police protection would continue until the inquiry is concluded or further instructions are given.

Ejang also told lawmakers that some of her responsibilities were reassigned before her contract ended, and said she had challenged the move as unlawful. She said she later sought guidance through the Treasury and the Attorney General, who, according to her testimony, agreed the delegation had not been lawful.